Los Angeles is a city rich in history and culture, and as such there are many historic Los Angeles restaurants still standing today. The interiors, exteriors, signs, and furniture of these establishments are all representative of the eras in which they were built, and are truly living museums of the past.
One of these is Barneys Beanery, located on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood on what was once a part of Route 66. This restaurant has the distinction of having been patronized by many of the stars of the silver screen, and of being the third oldest restaurant in Los Angeles. The founder and original owner, John Barney Anthony, first opened the restaurant in 1920, and designed the menu to reflect his love for traditional American cuisine, and many of the same items chosen by Anthony are still featured on the menu to this day. The bar in Barneys Beanery is featured in the movie The Doors and is rumored to have been a particular favorite of Doors singer Jim Morrison and another singer of the day, Janis Joplin.
Hollywoods oldest restaurant, however is Musso and Frank, which first opened its doors in 1919 and has been catering to Hollywood legends ever since. Table number one in the west room was silent film star Charlie Chaplins regular table, and the great American writers William Faulkner and Ernest Hemmingway patronized the establishment frequently. Orson Wells, as well, was rumored to frequent it. Frank and Mussos oak beamed ceilings red leather booths, and hearty American Continental faire will make you feel as though you have stepped into a time warp.
Another favorite among the many historic Los Angeles restaurants is the Tam O Shanter which was established in 1922 by Lawrence Frank and Walter Van de Kamp at a time when it was still possible to drive there through dusty country roads. Over time, the Tam became the favorite dining establishment of John Wayne, Mary Pickford, Walt Disney, and the members of the Disney studio. In 1968, the Tam was remodeled and renamed the Great Scot, but the hospitality and cuisine remained the same. In 1982, in honor of the restaurants sixtieth anniversary, the name was changed back to the Tam O Shanter Inn, and patrons today can still sample some of the restaurants signature dishes, like Scots Rarebit and Toad in The Hole.
There are so many historic Los Angeles restaurants to explore, each one with its own unique history and story. Why not explore on your own today and search for your own hidden gems still located amongst the industrial parks and generic chain restaurants in the LA area.
If youre vacationing in Hollywood and looking for somewhere to have dinner, dont overlook the many different varieties of food available in Los Angeles restaurants. After all, you can get burgers and fries anywhere but here there is access to all sorts of cuisine types. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes this a great location to try some fresh seafood, including shrimp, sea bass, salmon, and especially ocean scallops. Speaking of seafood, in southern California youll find a specialty that you wont see anywhere else: the fish taco. Many Los Angeles restaurants serve up a mean fish taco, and San Diego also has an entire chain of fast food places devoted to this SoCal treat.
At first, you might think that the fish taco sounds a little unappetizing, but its an excellent and unique blend of flavors. The fish, usually a light whitefish, is breaded and fried, and served in a corn tortilla with a cream sauce, shredded cabbage, and some pico de gallo. Add a little Mexican hot sauce for added kick!
If seafood isnt your thing, look to the upscale restaurants in Beverly Hills for a celebrity chef experience youll be talking about for years. This is not something youll want to do every day, not unless youve got the salary of the locals, but a once in a lifetime experience of seared Kobe beef or filet mignon paired with a fine wine and prepared to order by someone youve actually seen on television, thats a meal to remember. Be sure to ask your server for a wine recommendation and find out what specials the chef might be preparing that day that arent on the menu. There might be a hidden treat awaiting you.
The experience of dining in one of the worlds finest restaurants comes with added responsibility. You may need to make a reservation weeks or even months in advance to get into the most exclusive restaurants. Be sure to search the web for the dining experiences that you most want to have, and plan well in advance. Itll only heighten the anticipation of your amazing meal when you do arrive in town!
Look to the sea for other inspirations as well. There are many restaurants in the area that have a lovely view of the ocean and the sunset. Again, checking the web to find out what time sunset will fall on the days of your visit will help you out tremendously, because your reservation can coincide with that uniquely Los Angeles experience of relaxing on a balcony and seeing the sun sink into the ocean as someone prepares an unforgettable meal for you.
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